Headlines
DNR, Ecology, WDFW Recognize Large Landowners for Completion of Road Maintenance, Fish Passage Program
Program opens up 5,200 miles of fish habitat, leads to reduced sediment and 31,000 miles of improved forest roads   Washington state’s large landowners have corrected nearly 8,500 fish passage barriers and reopened 5,200 miles of fish habitat since 2001 under the... More...
State Officials Ask Residents to Check Trees for Invasive Insects and Diseases
National Tree Check Month comes as Washington scientists study emerging threats to western Washington tree health   Officials from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Department of Agriculture, and the Washington Invasive Species... More...
DNR Closes Vehicle Access to Sumas Mountain After Illegal Trails, Dumping Damage Forest
Block of land in Whatcom County will reopen for hunting season, remain open if issues cease   The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has temporarily closed the area around Sumas Mountain in Whatcom County to motor vehicle access after unsanctioned... More...
Committee on Geographic Names Hears First Tribal Proposals for Derogatory Place Names
Committee also approves name for peak in Whatcom County, lake in Okanogan County during its meeting Tuesday   The Washington State Committee on Geographic Names heard the first proposals from tribes within the state to rename features bearing a derogatory term that... More...
Commissioner Franz Statement in Response to Washington Supreme Court Ruling
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, head of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), released the following statement in response to the Washington Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in Conservation Northwest, et al. v. Commissioner of Public Lands et al., regarding the... More...
DNR, WSU Field Days Come to Western Washington
Registration is open for Winlock field day set for Aug. 13, Vashon event on Aug. 27.   Western Washington landowners will have two chances next month to get out in the woods and learn about a wide variety of topics related to forest stewardship, including forest... More...
New Study Details Impacts of Tsunami from Fault Running Through Seattle
Earthquake would produce tsunami waves that would hit state’s largest city in minutes   The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released a new study showing the impact of a tsunami produced by a major earthquake on the Seattle Fault.  ... More...
DNR Awards Record Amount of Urban and Community Forestry Grant Funding
More than $550,000 allocated to 21 projects ranging from urban tree planting to removal of invasive species   The Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program has awarded 21 organizations more than $550,000 combined in grant funding to support... More...
Board Approves Naming San Juan County Channel for Indigenous Businessman and Politician
Additional proposals name small San Juan island and Snohomish County marsh, correct spelling for Thurston County hill The Washington State Board of Natural Resources approved four naming proposals, including the renaming of a San Juan County waterway for an Indigenous... More...
Update on John’s River Fire in Grays Harbor County
The fire is 77 percent contained   The Johns River Fire in Grays Harbor County was discovered on June 25 burning commercial timberland owned by Grays Harbor County, which is under DNR fire protection.   On June 25 and 26, fire crews battled temperatures in... More...
DNR Prepositions Aircraft in NW Region
Officials still concerned about summer wildfires despite delayed start to warmer weather     In spite of the wet spring that’s delaying severe wildfires across the state, the heart of Washington’s fire season is just around the corner. To stay prepared,... More...
Department of Natural Resources Partners with USDA Forest Service on Central Washington Initiative
State and Federal leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding to restore forest health on 350,000 acres over the next decade and will visit major restoration project on Thursday   The Washington Department of Natural Resources and Forest Service Pacific Northwest... More...
Learn About Forest Health, Fire and Wildlife at DNR, WSU Field Days
Eastern Washington field day is June 11, western Washington events scheduled for August   Following a two-year hiatus, the popular Forest and Range Owners Field Day is back and scheduled to take place on June 11 in Chewelah.   The event gives forest... More...
Commissioner Franz Urges Fire Safety This Memorial Day Weekend
Uptick in wildfire activity projected due to warmer, drier summer   Even with one of the soggiest springs on record, Washington is still primed for wildfire season.   With areas of drought expanding throughout Washington, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary... More...
Public Safety Hazard Prompts Shooting Restrictions on DNR Parcel
Alternative sites being pursued after target shooting closure near Swenson Road in Stevens County   The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has placed target shooting restrictions on a parcel of state land near Swenson Road in Stevens County. The... More...
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, DNR Team Up on Good Neighbor Authority’s Bandera Restoration Project
Restoration project partnership between DNR and USFS will bolster forest health, improve aquatic habitats, and bolster trail access in forest east of Seattle   The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin the Bandera Restoration Project this... More...
Committee on Geographic Names Approves Changing San Juan County Channel Name to Honor Indigenous Fisherman
Name of Snohomish County marsh, small San Juan island, spelling of Thurston County hill approved during Committee’s regular meeting   The Washington State Committee on Geographic Names approved proposals to rename a channel in the San Juan Islands, new names for an... More...
Chelan Neighbors Work Together to Protect Homes, Properties from Wildfires
For second year, community teams with Department of Natural Resources to expand Wildfire Ready Neighbors program to high-risk areas   Residents, community leaders, forest health experts, regional fire districts, and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined in... More...
DNR Presents Eastern Washington Fire Districts With Surplus Wildfire Engines
The Department of Natural Resources presented four Eastern Washington fire districts with surplus wildfire engines in a Spokane-based event on Monday, part of the agency’s annual effort to strengthen fire response in wildfire-prone rural areas.   “Local fire districts... More...
Committee on Geographic Names Asks Department of Interior for Thoughtful Process to Replace Derogatory Placenames
The Washington State Committee on Geographic Names sent a letter this week to the U.S. Department of the Interior supporting its plan to rename 18 geographic features in the state that currently have derogatory names referring to Indigenous women. The Committee also raised... More...